The bitter cold weather has some homeowners scrambling to make sure pipes don't freeze.

The bitter cold weather has some homeowners scrambling to make sure pipes don't freeze.

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Updated: 7:06 PM CST Jan 2, 2014

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WEBVTT THE COLD IS ALSO A DANGER TO YOUR HOME. AS 12 NEWS KENT WAINSCOTT REPORTS, THAT HAS SOME HOMEOWNERS TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. JOHN EBERHARDT/HOMEOWNER - I WAS REALLY SHOCKED TO SEE IT FREEZE IN THE BASEMENT. WHEN JOHN EBERHARDT MOVED INTO THIS HOME LATE LAST WINTER - IT HAD BEEN SITTING VACANT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NO RUNNING WATER AND COLD TEMPS MEANT FROZEN PIPES - AND A MESS. JOHN EBERHARDT/HOMEOWNER - AND AS SOON AS WE FIRED THE SYSTEM UP IT JUST SPRAYED WATER LIKE A SHOWER, I MEAN IT WAS ALL OVER EVERYTHING. MASTER PLUMBER NICK RICCIARDI EXPECTS TO BE BUSY DURING THE EXTREME COLD - BUT SAYS HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE STEPS TO AVOID PROBLEMS. NICK RICCIARDI /MASTER PLUMBER - IF PIPES ARE LIKE INSIDE A WALL, PEOPLE WILL OPEN UP THEIR CABINET DOORS TO GET HEAT TO HELP HEAT THE PIPES SO THEY DON'T FREEZE. KENT - ONE CONCERN IN A LOT OF HOMES IS THE LINE THAT LEADS OUT TO THE LINE THAT LEADS OUT TO THE HOSE. SOME HOMEOWNERS FORGET TO TURN OFF THE WATER VALVE AND IN THIS CASE THE HOMEOWNERS PLACED SOME INSULATION AROUND THE PIPE NEAR THE WALL. TURN THE WATER OFF AT THE METER IF YOU'LL BE AWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. AND EVEN LEAVING A FAUCET DRIPPING CAN HELP PROTECT PIPES. NICK RICCIARDI /MASTER PLUMBER - SOME PEOPLE, LIKE DURING THE DAYTIME WILL KEEP IT RUNNING JUST A LITTLE BIT, SO IT'LL KEEP CIRCULATING SO IT CAN'T FREEZE. IN EBERHARDT'S CASE, HE WAS FORCED TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PIPES, AND HOPES TO AVOID MORE MAJOR PROBLEMS THIS TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE PLUNGES. JOHN EBERHARDT/HOMEOWNER - DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT NOW? - YEAH, I'VE GOT A LITTLE LEAK OVER HERE NOW. YEAH, I WORRY ABOUT IT. ON MILWAUKEE'S SOUTH SIDE, I'M KENT WAINSCOTT WISN-12 NEWS.

Cold weather can be dangerous for your home

The bitter cold weather has some homeowners scrambling to make sure pipes don't freeze.